Arizona’s courts have agreed with legislative leaders to a proposed merit selection ballot measure that would lengthen the terms of judges, keeps senate confirmation out of the process and diminishes the State Bar’s role.

A vigorous assault this year on the way Arizona chooses its judges has subsided to a handful of ballot measures and bills that have made their way through the Senate, but this year, the effort has more momentum than in past legislatures.

“We can’t just give the Legislature the finger and ignore them. They raised some legitimate concerns, although antagonistically.” — Mick Rusing, a member of the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, on having to convene again after Republican legislative leaders complained about the slate of nominees sent to them.

The process of picking Arizona's next Independent Redistricting Commission took a dramatic turn Dec. 14 when a legislative leader threatened to sue and a member of a selection committee resigned as criticism mounted over religious comments he made.